Amy Fogarty, performing as the "Sugar Plum Fairy," stands on her toes in a scene during "The Nutcracker" in a 2013 performance by Boulder Ballet and the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. Today, ballerinas will host a storytime reading of the tale in Boulder. (Jeremy Papasso / Daily Camera)

Deck the Mall on the Pearl Street Mall — Kick off the holiday season with some holiday cheer and festivities in conjunction with an open air Holiday Festival. There will be a variety of one of-a-kind seasonal items, unique holiday gifts, and handmade treasures crafted by local artisans. This free holiday shopping spectacular will include great live music from Intuit and Lovehorn Regal, a free holiday craft-design area, and fun for the whole family. Deck the Mall is also raising funds for the Imagine! Foundation; 10 a.m., Pearl Street Mall, Boulder; free; 720-272-7467, deckthemallboulder.com.

Rayback Collective Holiday Makers Pop-Up — A carefully curated local designers pop-up market this holiday season at the Rayback Collective will have local makers showcasing homewares, fashion and accessories, ceramics and more. Enjoy a beverage or two, and a bite to eat from one of the food trucks; 1 p.m., Rayback Collective, 2775 Valmont Road, Boulder; free.

UPCOMING

Dance of Life: The B-Minor Mass by J.S. Bach — On Remembrance Day the Boulder Bach Festival presents one of the most profound musical art works ever composed-featuring orchestra, chorus and some of the nation's most expressive vocal soloists; 2 p.m. Sunday, Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder; calendar.colorado.edu.

CU Choirs: Featuring Vocal Showcase from Arvada West High School — The University Singers and University Choir share the stage for this concert. Significant in scope, the program features music composed by women, including Sarah Hopkins' "Past Life Melodies," which utilizes harmonic overtones singing and is the most iconic choral work to come from Australia, as well as Jocelyn Hagen's impressive new work "Hummingbird," which is scored for choir, piano and electronics. Additionally, the CU Choral Department welcomes special guest ensemble Vocal Showcase, a nationally recognized choir from Arvada West High School; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, Grusin Music Hall, 1020 18th St., Boulder; calendar.colorado.edu

Numbers suggest desire is greater than ever to have a CHSAA-sanctioned female divisionClarissa Batrez is a wrestler, not a girl who wrestles. Her father and older brother both wrestled so Batrez was raised in a wrestling environment all her life. Batrez speaks glowingly of the sport and loves that it gives her a competitive avenue through which she can channel her "inner power" and natural aggression. Full Story

The Boulder alt-country band gives its EPs names such as Death and Resurrection, and its songs bear the mark of hard truths and sin. But the punk energy behind the playing, and the sense that it's all in good fun, make it OK to dance to a song like "Death." Full Story